Green homes grant scheme helped just 130 Milton Keynes families, say Lib Dems

    Sky News

    The local Liberal Democrats say only around 130 families in Milton Keynes have been supported to better insulate their homes under the government’s flagship Green Homes Grant scheme.

    It was hoped the green homes grant would help 600,000 households save up to £600 on their bills, support 82,500 jobs over six months and cut climate pollution.

    It was intended as a six-month "green" pandemic recovery measure but was scrapped in March 2021 following problems with its delivery.

    The Liberal Democrats say figures show how the scheme has failed families in the local area.

    The data shows just 130 energy efficiency measures have been installed in homes in Milton Keynes under the Green Homes Grant scheme. Of these only 69 were for low income households.

    The figures have led the Liberal Democrat to accuse the government of “abandoning families” facing soaring energy prices this winter and condemning them to eye-watering heating bills in future.

    Applications made before March 2021 are still being processed, but most have now been finalised.

    The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to announce an emergency programme to insulate people’s homes, reduce energy bills and cut the UK’s carbon emissions. It comes as world leaders meet in Glasgow this week at the COP summit to discuss global climate targets.

    Councillor Robin Bradburn, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Milton Keynes Council, said:  “It is shocking that so few homes in Milton Keynes have been helped to insulate their homes through the Green Homes Grant scheme.

    “This initiative was launched to much fanfare and was meant to help thousands of people make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Instead, families are being abandoned ahead of the cold winter months at a time energy bills are soaring.

    “The Government must show the UK is a global leader in tackling climate change by launching an emergency programme to insulate our homes, reduce emissions and slash heating bills.

    “We need to end fuel poverty and make sure that families in Milton Keynes aren’t forced to choose between heating and eating.”

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